Ivory Coast visa requirements for South Africans

Travel and visa requirements

Ivorian Visa is not required for South Africans

Stay Duration: 30 days

Entry Requirements

  • South African passport holders can stay in Cote d'Ivoire without a visa for a duration of 30 days.
  • The Cote d'Ivoire visa is a multi-entry visa, with a validity of 90 days, although visitors are only allowed to stay a maximum of 30 days.
  • Passports must be valid for six months during the duration of your stay, with one blank page for entry and exit stamps. 
  • Before entry into Cote d'Ivoire, visitors must show proof of hotel booking reservation, passport photos, proof of sufficient funds and return or onward travel tickets.
  • Intending visitors require a certificate of yellow fever vaccination. 
  • No visa is required to visit Cote d'ivoire. 
  • Visitors are advised to apply for the e-visa, five days before departure.
  • Intending visitors can get to Abidjan Côte d’Ivoire from any international airport in Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and Cape Town.
  • South African Airways, Kenya Airways, kulula, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, are some of the carriers that fly from South Africa to Côte d’Ivoire.
  • The estimated flight time from Johannesburg to Abidjan is 8 hours, 5 minutes, 12 hours, 10 minutes from Cape Town 11 hours, 5 minutes from Bloemfontein.
  • The West African CFA (XOF) is Cote d'Ivoire’s official currency, although many business outlets accept Euros. Visitors can convert their foreign currencies in banks and some hotels.
  • There aren’t so many ATMs in most parts of Cote d'Ivoire, but visitors can withdraw up to 200,000 CFA from over the counter in banks so long as they have a Visa card.
  • Cote d'Ivoire’s climate is generally warm and humid, with the southern coast more equatorial than the tropical weather in the middle and the semiarid temperatures in the north.
  • Cote d'Ivoire’s numerous natural beauties and other historical attractions make it a prime spot for tourists and visitors looking to experience the richness of nature and to discover new ways of life while at it.
  • Cote d'Ivoire uses the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) which makes South Africa two hours ahead of it.
  • Power sockets and plugs used in Cote d'Ivoire are of type C and E. The standard supply voltage is 220 V, with a standard frequency of 50 Hz.
  • Cote d'Ivoire’s religious demography is diverse and multilayered, with almost 52%  who identify as Evangelical or Catholic Christians, 24.9% who identify as Muslims, and others adherents to various traditional faiths.
  • Getting around in Cote d'Ivoire is possible with public taxis, buses, etc. Visitors can also get around using Ivory Coast’s alternative to Uber: the TaxiJet app.
  • Of all the languages in Cote d'Ivoire, French is what a large number of Ivorians speak, though many understand English, it still remains a barely used means of communication. Visitors might want to pick up a few French phrases to help them relate better with locals.
  • Cote d'Ivoire is home to an interesting, unique and fascinating culture and history. Visitors are expected to be courteous and conscious of existing rules and customs as they go about their activities.

Frequently Asked Questions


How many languages are spoken in Ivory Coast?

Ivory Coast is a multilingual country with an estimated 78 languages currently spoken. The official language is French which was introduced during the colonial period.


How old is the Ivory Coast?
It has been 57 years to the day that the Ivory Coast gained independence.

What are the best restaurants to try when visiting Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire?
The best restaurants to visit while you are in Ivory Coast are Le Grand Large at Bietry, Le Montparnasse, Bietry, and Le Mondial at Avenue Chardy, Plateau.

What are some lesser-known sights to see when visiting, Cote d’Ivoire?

You can go to Kafolo Lagoon in Riviera Abatta.


What are the best activities to do with children when visiting Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire?
There are so many activities to do with children in Ivory Coast. You can go to the beach, visit parks or malls that have dedicated game center for children.